With Havant and Waterlooville’s recent record-breaking run in the FA Cup generating national headlines, it seems timely to revisit Chichester City FC’s own record-breaking FA Cup success, which saw them reach the 1^st round proper back in November 1960.

Having won the Sussex County League the previous season, Chichester started the 1960/61 season in fine form, and were top of the League by the time they faced Cowes in the 2^nd qualifying round of the FA Cup. In an exciting home draw, played at Oaklands Park, Chichester beat Cowes 6-3, scoring two goals in the first eleven minutes. Captain Roy Gilfillan, right-wing Dave Green and left-back Freddy Knotts were the stars of a Chichester side which, according to The Observer, had “seldom, if ever, played better”.

Chichester’s progression through the Cup continued with a 3^rd round win over Andover, again played at home. A tight match played on a muddy, water-logged pitch saw Chichester grab a 2-1 victory over a strong side, which had just knocked Fareham Town, the Hampshire County League champions, out of the Cup. The win took Chichester through to the 4^th round, further than they’d ever been in the history of the competition, where they were set to face Dorchester Town, “one of the most feared and experienced non-league clubs in the country”.

The draw – again set to played at Oaklands Park – generated much excitement, with The Observer following the team during their training and preparations. Reporting them to be a strong and happy side, Dorchester Town were warned to “watch their step”, since the side “could not be fitter, or in better form”.

Dorchester obviously did not heed the warning as a record crowd of over 2,000 spectators watched Chichester earn a brilliant 4-1 victory on 22^nd October. With Dorchester competing in the professional Western League, and fielding a team which included Don Roper, formerly of Arsenal, and Marcel Gillard, formerly of Portsmouth, Chichester’s amateur side truly excelled themselves. Having celebrated each of Chichester’s goal with a cacophony of noise from bells, bugles and rattles, the crowd went mad when the final whistle blew and, with Chichester through to the 1^st round proper, Cup-tie fever descended on the city.

On 5^th November the team, accompanied by eight coaches carrying over 400 spectators, set off for the biggest match of their lives. Drawn to face Bristol City at home, Chichester instead elected to play away, believing Oaklands Park to be too small a venue to cope with such a big match. Nobody doubted that the match would be a challenge, with the third division team boasting big-name players such as Tommy Casey, formerly of Portsmouth; Bob Etheridge, who also kept wicket for Gloucestershire; John Ayteo, a former England player; and Alex Tait, newly transferred from Newcastle United at a cost of £5,000. However, despite three injury scares in the week leading up to the match, the team was fit and raring to go, and hoping to give Bristol City a run for their money.

Sadly, Chichester’s FA Cup dream ended that day, with Bristol City proving to be too much of a challenge. The Observer reported that Chichester “were mesmerized by the skill of the Bristol forwards, and were unable to start up any attacks of their own”. A final score of 11-0 reflected badly on Chichester’s goalkeeper, Peter Thomas, but he saved many more goals than he let in. Chichester’s strikers tried hard to fight back to score just one goal, but they were unable to find the back of Bristol’s net.

Chichester’s FA Cup run might have ended that day, but the side did not go home empty handed. For a start, their share of the gate earned them £700, with 12,500 spectators entering the ground; but perhaps what was more valuable was the experience of playing a third division side, which inspired the club to go on and have its most successful season ever. Chichester City went on to reach the 1^st round proper of the FA Amateur Cup, where they lost to a formidable Woking side which contained several of the players who had won the Cup in 1958. They also reached the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup; shared the Sussex RUR Charity Cup, drawing the final against Brighton & Hove Albion; and were Sussex County League Champions for the second season running, remaining unbeaten until they met Lancing on 2^nd April.

Chichester’s taste of FA Cup glory might have been short-lived, but for both the players and the 400 spectators who travelled with them to Bristol, it was an unforgettable experience. As The Observer reported, “it was either the crowning of many years of faithful football following, or the story of a lifetime to tell the children – ‘The day I watched Chichester City play Bristol City in the Cup’…” Perhaps you were at the match, or even played in it? Do you remember watching Chichester City during their Glorious Season? If so, why not write to us and share your memories? We’d love to hear from you.